SIPERNAT® D 17 – The hydrophobic specialty silica for free-flowing powders and demanding industrial processes
From high-fat animal feed additives and construction chemicals to recycled polymers, extinguishing powders and electronic components, a vast array of modern industrial products rely on free-flowing powders. However, caking and moisture buildup during processing, transport and storage lead to costly production downtime, dosing inaccuracies and material waste across nearly all industrial sectors.
SIPERNAT® D 17, a hydrophobic precipitated silica, offers superior protection against moisture adsorption. Its specialized surface chemistry actively repels ambient moisture, delivering exceptional anti-caking performance at dosage levels 3 to 4 times lower than standard hydrophilic silicas.
Thanks to its hydrophobic properties, it directly prevents particle-to-particle adhesion. Porosity is not a limiting factor to its performance. This makes SIPERNAT® D 17 a reliable choice across a wide range of markets and applications.
Markets and Applications
Animal Nutrition and Health | Technological Feed Additives
Feed additives & absorbates: Highly effective for difficult, moisture-absorptive substances such as choline chloride absorbates and medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA, e.g., lauric and butyric acid).
- Low dosage efficiency: At dosage levels of just 0.5–1%, it reduces caking by 55% in lauric acid absorbates and 30% in choline chloride absorbates.
- Quality and shelf life: Prevents caking in overmixed powders and highly concentrated absorbates during extended storage and transport.
- Regulatory approvals: Registered in the EU Register of Feed Additives (E551a), complies with Directive 2002/32/EC and is Kosher and Halal certified.
Building, Construction and Infrastructure | Spray Drying Aids
Consistent powder behavior is vital for maintaining reliable quality in construction chemicals and dry raw materials.
- Spray drying aids: Added as an anti-caking aid directly into a spray drying process to keep spray-dried hygroscopic polymers free-flowing at low addition levels.
- Process efficiency: In spray drying applications, a 1% dosage of SIPERNAT® D 17 delivers superior flowability compared to a 2% dosage of conventional hydrophilic silica, saving raw material costs and optimizing throughput.
Industrial Manufacturing and Machinery | Fire Protection
Industrial powders must remain fully functional even when exposed to harsh environmental shifts.
- Fire extinguishing powders: Extinguishing powders are often subjected to fluctuating humidity. Adding just 1% SIPERNAT® D 17 preserves free-flow properties and ensures reliable performance after changes in humidity.
- Defoamers and antifoams: Thanks to its water-repellent surface, it acts as an active component in industrial defoaming agents, helping to mechanically break down foam in aqueous systems.
Plastics and Rubber | Processing Aids
Smooth powder transport and precise dosing directly influence output rates in plastics and rubber compounding.
- Processing aids: Improves the flowability and dosing accuracy of powdered polymers, plastic additives, masterbatches, and fillers during compounding and extrusion.
- Recycled Plastics & biopolymers: Minimizes clogging and unplanned downtime when processing challenging recycled plastic powders or biodegradable polymers.
Electronics and Telecommunications | Thermal Management
Silica-based additives serve as essential functional fillers and rheology control agents in specialty electronic materials.
- Thermal management & protective compounds: Functions as a rheology modifier, anti-caking aid and functional filler in specialty electronics packaging, encapsulants and casting compounds where moisture resistance is critical.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Typical Value |
| Median particle size (d50) | 10.0 µm |
| Tamped density | 150 kg/m3 |
| Loss on drying | 6.0% |
| pH value | 8.0 |
| Wettability by methanol | ≥ 52% |
Interested in enhancing flowability and preventing caking in your production process?
Contact our Sales Managers to learn more or request product samples for laboratory testing.
